Home > Schools Continue to Support All Students After Attempt to Repeal the School Success and Opportunity Act Fails

Schools Continue to Support All Students After Attempt to Repeal the School Success and Opportunity Act Fails

Feb. 24, 2014 — Carolyn

Today, the effort to repeal the School Success and Opportunity Act - California's new law ensuring that all youth have the opportunity to succeed in school - failed to qualify for the ballot.

We are so proud of the transgender youth who have shared their stories over the past year, and helped to educate thousands of Californians. These courageous youth know that a core part of who you are, like your race or being transgender, should never be a barrier to getting a good education or doing well in life.

You can help us empower students like Ashton Lee[1], a GSA Network youth leader and transgender boy from Manteca, in implementing the law so that no student is denied the opportunity to learn because of who they are. Before the law passed, his school would not let him participate in P.E. class with other boys, making him feel excluded and devastated. "I want to spend time with my friends and do well in school, just like any other kid," says Ashton. "This guidance for schools has made it so much easier for me to be me."

California's School Success and Opportunity Act - also known as AB 1266 - went into effect on January 1st, ensuring that schools have the guidance they need to make sure all students, including those who are transgender, have the opportunity to do well in school and graduate. The law is modeled on policies and practices that are already working well in schools across the state, and gives important guidance to educators so they can work with students and families on a case-by-case basis. To learn more about the School Success and Opportunity Act, please visit www.SupportAllStudents.org[4].

Supporters of the law include the Transgender Law Center, National Center for Lesbian Rights, ACLU of California, Gay-Straight Alliance Network, Equality California, Gender Spectrum, LGBT organizations, racial justice organizations, statewide teacher and parent organizations, and others committed to ensuring that all kids have the opportunity to do well in school and graduate.